Centrifugal starting switch



Sept. 30, 1924. 1,510,263

M. A. DEFIBAUGH ET AL CENTRIFUGAL STARTING SWITCH Filed N v- 28. 1921' 2 Sheets-Sheet. l

Fig.1.

Sept. 30', 1924. 1 1,510,263

M. A. DEFIBAUGH ET AL CENTRIFUGAL STARTING SWITCH Filed Nov. 28 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 slidin Patented Sept. 30, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

MARK A. DEFIBAUGH ,AND RALPH J. THIEMAN, OF BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, AS- SIGNORS TO H. IB. SHERMAN 'MANUFACTURING 00., OF BATTLE CREEK, .MICHI- can, A CORPORATION or MICHIGAN.

CENTRIFUGAL STARTING swrrcn.

Application filed November 28, 1921. Serial No. 518,248.

To whom it may coacem:

Be it known thatv we, MARK A. Diner ingSwitches; and we hereby declare that.

the following is a full, clear, and. exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin drawings, which form part of this specification.

This invention relates to automatic start- 'ing switches of the centrifugal type such as are used for opening the starting circuit of split-phase induction motors.

The objectof the lnventionls to simplify the construction ofsuch devices, to reduce the number of parts required to perform the necessary movements, and also to reduce the cost of manufacture.

The switch, in brief, comprises radial weights adjustably spring connecte means connected therewith for actuating a yoke or arm attached to a bushing sliding -freely in an axial direction on the shaft of the rotor, a contact carrier insulated from the bushing, an annular contact mounted thereon, and stationary insulated contacts cooperating with the annular slidin contact.

e will explain the invention more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention, and an understanding thereof will enable others to adopt and use the invention. In the claimswe have summarized the essentials of the invention, and the novel features of construction and novelcombination of parts for which protection is desired. I

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the switch as applied to a starting motor, the switch being of the motor being conventionally shown to indicate the usual location of the switch.

Fi 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 showing t e switch'open.

ig. 3' is a sectional view on the line- Fig. 4 is a similar-sectional view on the shown in closed position and parts line 4-4 Fig. 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the electrical connections.

The switch is of the type in which sliding weights are used to actuate a circuit closing device inthe starting winding of the motor. The motor may be of any suitable make or type and in the drawings we' have simply conventionally indicated a rotor A of a motor, having a shaftB journaled in bearings C of any suitable type, on one end D of the motor casing.

To the rotor A, adjacent the bearing C is secured in any suitable manner a preferably circular late 11, which is concentric with the shaft On this plate 11, at'diametrically opposite sides of the shaft B are slidably mounted plates or weights 1, 1, which are movable, radially of the rotor,

to or from the shaft B. The slidable plates The weight plates 1, 1-' are connected by springs 9, 9' arranged at opposite sides of shaft B, said springs controlling the weights when the rotor is at rest and also exerting a controlling influence on the weights 1, 1,

during rotation of the rotor; The springs should be of uniform strength, and so proportioned that after the rotor is started and when it reaches a certain predetermined speed of rotation, the weight plates 1, -1

will move outward radially, under the influence of centrifugal force overcoming the resistance of springs 9, 9', and will actuate the switch contacts, as hereinafter described. Attached to the inner side of the casing D concentric with the shaft B is an insulating plate 12 to which are attached two diametrically opposite stationary contact segments 7 and,7 which are preferably electrically connected in the starting winding and feed circuit of-the motor as indicated in Fi 5 or in any other suitable manner.

Sli ably mounted on the shaft B, between the plates 11 and 12, is a sleeve 5 on the end of which, adjacent plate 12, is mounted an insulating ring 8. Upon this insulating tened to the rear end of the sliding sleeve and the diametrically opposite projecting arms 3*, 3" of yoke 3, extend through openings in oppositely projecting arms 1" and 1 of the sliding weights 1,1",a's shown in Figures 1 and 2. a

The arms 3, 3 are preferably inclined at an angle of approximately to the shaft B so that said arms lieat an an le of about 45 to the weight plates 1, 1 and .slide freely through openings in the arms 1, '1" as shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The arms 1, l of the weight plates 1, 1' are'also preferably inclined at about an angle of 45 to the plates and shaft, so that the engaging arms 1, 3 and 1,"3? stand at an angle of about 90, or at right angles, to each other. As the weight plates 1,1, move outward,-'under'the action ofv centrifugal force, the engaging arms 1*}, 3; and 1", b willmove sliding sleeve 5 proportionallyg? and draw the contact ring -.6 away from the stationary "contact segments 7, 7, and open the circuit through the starting winding. v

When the main circuitis opened, and the rotor comes to a stop, the sliding weight plates 1, 1 will be drawn inwards toward the shaft by the springs 9, 9', and as they move inward the'interengaging arms,1 3

1", 3", will move the sleeve 5 proportionally outward until the contact ring again makes electrical connection with the stationary segments 7, 7', and thus automatically puts the circuit in proper condition for again starting the rotor.

As the controlling springs, 9, 9 are liable to vary somewhat in'strength from each other, we preferably provide means for varying or adjustingthe tensionof these springs. In the construction shown in the drawings (Figs. 3 and 4) each sliding weight plate 1 and 1 is provided with a pluralityof holes 14 with anyof which therelated ends of springs 9 and 9' may be engagcd. These holes vary in distance from the center of the shaft and the tension of either spring can be changed by hooking in one or the other of the holes.

holes for each end ofthe springs 9, 9' as it is evident that more holes'may be provided if desired. These holes provide a simple and effective means for adjusting the tenslon of the springs; and also a simple means for varying the speed at which the slidingweights.

The ill-- vention is not restricted to the use of two expansion spring 4 strung on the sleeve,

tween the ring 8 and thering 3 to yieldingly' hold the rin 8 against the flange 5* on the outer end 0 the sleeve; so that when the parts are in normal-position'as shown in Fig. 1, contact of the parts 6 and 7 will be insured, so that when the line current is applied to start the motor, the starting winding will be energized efliciently What we claim is:

' 1. In a centrifugal starting switch, an insulated contact carrier, a rotatable meinber radially movable weights on said member, and oppositely inclined intersecting arms on the carrier'and weights-whereby said carrier is moved in an axial direction by and in proportion to the radial movement of theweights.

2. A centrifugal starting switch having in combination radial sliding weights spring connected, an insulated contact car- I 3. A centrifugal starting switch having in combination radial sliding weights adjustably spring connected, an insulated contact carrier movable at right angles to. the sliding weights, and means inte al with the weights foractuatin the insu ated contact portion to the radial movement of the 4. A centrifugal starting switch having in combination radial sliding weights adjustablyspring connected, a bushing sliding freelyin an axial direction on the shaft of the motor and having an angular yoke or arm,.means integral with the weights for actuating the bushing, a contact carrier insulated from the bushing, an annular contact mounted thereon, and stationary insulated contacts cooperating with the annular sliding contactas described.

5. In a centrifugal starting switch of the character specified, a radially movable carrier in an axial direction by and in proweight memberhaving an arm projecting therefrom at an angle, and an axially movable member having an arm projecting therefrom at an angle, said arms being engaged whereby the radial movement of the weight member causes a longitudinal movement of the axiallymovable member, a contact ring carried by said member, and fixed contact segments adapted to be engaged by said ring when the parts are in starting position.

6. In a centrifugal starting switch of the character specified, a radially movable weight member having an arm projecting therefrom at an angle of about 45, an axsaidinsulating member,

. weight member having said arms being adapte an angle of about 45, said arms being slidably en aged whereby the radial movement of e weighted. member causes a longitudinal movement of the sleeve, substantially as described. Y 7. In a centrifu l startin switch of the character specifie a ra ally movable an arm projecting therefrom at an angle of about 45, an axially movable sleeve havin an arm proj ecting therefrom at an angle ofabout 45, to be engaged whereby the radial movement of the weighted member causes a longitudinal movement of the sleeve, an insulating member on the sleeve, a contact ring carried by and fixed contact segments adapted to be engaged by said ring when the parts are in startmg position.

'8. In a starting switch of the character specified, the combination of arotor, a sleeve slidably mounted on the rotor shaft, segments arranged adjacent the rotor, a contact ring carried by and insulated from said sleeve adapted toengage' said segments; arms connected ith said sleeve, oppositely movable wei ht plates adapted to be movably connected to the rotor and adapted to be actuated by centrifugal force, said weights having arms, engaging the arms on the sleeves, and springs connectin the weight members and acting in opposition to centrifugal force.

9. In a starting switch of the character specified, the'combination of a rotor, contaci segments arranged adjacent the rotor, a'

sleeve slidably mounted on the rotor shaft adjacent said contacts, a contact ring'carried by and insulated from said sleeve adapted to engage said se ents; arms connected withsaid sleeve an inclined at an angle of approximately 45 thereto, oppositely movable weight plates movably connected to'the rotor and adapted to be actuated by centrifugal force, said weight plates having arms inclined at an angle of 45 thereto and slidably engaging the arms on the sleeve, and springs connecting said weight-plates and acting in opposition to centrifugal force.

10. For a centrifugal starting switch of the character specified, a radially movable weight member having an arm projecting therefrom at an angle of about 45; adapte to engage an axially movable member whereby .the radial movement of the weighted member causes a longitudinal movement of the axially movable member, substantially as described.

11. In a centrifugal starting switch of the character specified, a radially slidable weighted member, an axially movable sleeve having an arm projecting therefrom atan angle of about 45, adapted to be engaged by said weighted member, whereby movement of the weighted member causes longitudinal movement of the sleeve, substantially as described.

12 In a centrifugal-starting switch, a rotatable member, movable weights on said member adapted to be moved outwardly by centrifugal force, and having outwardly inclined angular portions, spring means for drawing the weights inwardly, an insulated contact carrier movable with the axis of said member, and angular arms attached to the contact carrier engaging the outwardly inclined angular portions of the moving weights whereby caused to move axially when the weights move radially. V

13. Ina centrifugal starting switch slidable radially movable weights adapted to be the contact carrier is attached to a rotatable part, and having. v

outwardly inclined angular portions, a member movable axially of said part, and inclined portions on said axially movable member engaging the inclined portions on said weights whereby when the weights slide outwardly the member is moved proportionally inwardly and vice versa; a rotatable contact earned on said axially movable member, and relatively fixed contact members adapted to be engaged by the'rotatable contact when the parts are in normal position.

14. In a centrifugal starting switch, a pair of contact members, an annular contact member adapted to contact therewith, aninsulating support for annular contact memher, said annular contact member, an inclined arm attached to said axially movable memher, a radially movable weight adapted to be attached to a rotor and an arm on said an axially movable member carrying weight inclined oppositely to and havinga slidable engagement with the arm on said axially movable member, whereby when the weight is moved radially outward the axially movable member is caused to move to separate the contacts and vice versa.

15. In a centrifugal starting switch of the character specified, a radially movable weight member having an arm projecting angularly therefrom;. and. an axially movable member having an lgarm projecting angularly therefrom and opposite to the arm on the weight member said arms .being inter-engaged, whereby the radial movement of the weight member causes a movement of the axially movable member.

16. In a centrifugal starting switch a rotatable member, weights on said member adapted to be moved outwardly by centrifugal force and having inwardly inclined arms, an electrical contact having arms inclined oppositely to and engagin the arms on the weights for moving sai electrical contact member in a plane at right angles to the rotatable member, into or out of contacting position, and springs adjustably weights for moving the inclined contact conneeted with said Weights, substantially member to or from the fixed contacts, said as described. Weights being provided with a plurality of 17. line centrifugal startingswitch a roholes and sprin s having their ends adjust- 5 tatable member, movable Weights on said ably engaged with the holes in the Weights, 1

member adapted to be moved outwardly by substantially as described.

centrifugal force and having inwardly in- In testimony that We claim the foregoing clined arms, fixed electrical contacts, a niovas our own, We aflixour signatures. able electrical contact havin arms inclined MARK A. DEFIBAUGH.

10 oppositely to and engaging t e arms on the RALPH J. THIEMAN 

